Warm Welcomes (Nera)

[Kestrelwing]

Kohaku

The young redguard started to run the moment she saw a building. Admittedly, it was an old hut, inhabited by a very angry old man who didn't like it when young 'uns ran across his lawn, but it was a sign. Finally, they were going to reach Hla Oad.

The week's journey hadn't been that bad, but as interesting as Vintus was, Haku missed civilization. Well, really she missed smithing, but the two unfortunately walked hand in hand. The dark-skinned youth swore that she'd just drop dead if she wasn't able to work some metal within the next hour.

About two hours later, Haku's excited sprint had been slowed to a reluctant walk. There should be some kind of sign. 'Hoping to get to Hla Oad before nightfall? Well, don't be fooled by all these houses. They're all just a trick to make you falsely hope. Don't worry, though. Hla Oad isn't too long a journey away! We'll see you in two years!' Did walking have to take so long?

Haku was staring at the ground, thumping it periodically with her staff's wooden end, when she heard a familiar whistle. Her head snapped up, thin wiry braids flying every which way. She knew that whistle...

And suddenly the sprint was back and Haku was yelling. "Hamad! You came to meet me!" The big redguard was laughing, a deep chuckle that Haku had missed so much since he'd left...

The strong Hamad pulled Haku off of him, still laughing, and looked her over. "Looks like life on the road suits you, Haku. Here, I thin that this bit isn't yet thoroughly coated with dust." HE poked her in the temple. She moved to punch him in the gut, but he dodged, grabbing a braid and tugging on it. "Just as ornery as always, I see."

"Ornery? Ornery isn't even in my vocabulary. I suppose that you were confused. You probably meant 'Still as amazing, wonderful, talented, interesting, etc. as you always have been, Haku.' I see that Shria hasn't managed to beat through that thick skull of yours yet. Don't worry. As soon as I'm there to help her with a nice big hammer and chisel, the problem'll be solved."

He rolled his eyes. "Speaking of Shria, she sends you these." He handed Haku a basket. She lifted the light cloth covering it delightedly. The warm smell of fresh scones wafted up to her. Her mouth started to slaver.

"Awesome! Where is she? And what're you doing here? Don't you live in a smaller village somewhere nearby?"

He coughed. The sound was nervous. "We came as a little treat, to meet you. We rented a small apartment for a few days. We're lucky you got back today. We were leaving for home tomorrow."

"Really? It isn't like you to do stuff like this... But hey, I won't turn down fresh scones and a smiling face! More importantly, where are Shria and Threa? That's his name, right? I can't wait to see him! I'm an aunt!"

His face instantly changed. Where it had seemed worried and anxious, it became light and joyful. "They're back at the apartment. We can go see them whenever you want to."

OOC: xD I love Haku. She's so... enthusiastic. xD

[Neravarine]

What Vintus would give for some actual food. The smell wafting from the basket reminded him if his mother's cooking back in Cyrodil... Vintus wondered how she was doing with her new husband. Traveling in the ashlands, wilderness, and around small Dunmer villages in Great House Territory only got you "native" food, which consisted of giant mutant bugs, monsters, or something in between of the first two. Really, the paladin was quite jeolous of Haku, but the imperial knew he was much more mature than that. Still clad in steel armor and enclosed helm, the imperial gave a slight nod in Hamad's direction. He didn't want to ruin the reunion, who knew how long Haku was away selling her wares? No... The imperial stayed silent until he was spoken to first. Besides, he should be moving soon anyway. He had a meeting with someone in Balmora, and although he was off schedule, he could of course take the silt strider in Seyda Neen for some coin.

[Kestrelwing]

Kohaku

Haku grinned. "Awesome! Let's go now!" Hamad rolled his eyes, but his were bright and excited, too. Haku had always known he'd be a good dad. Suddenly, Haku's eyes caught a glint of steel as something moved. She half twisted around, checking the source of the flash. Blushing, she realized that it was Vintus's armor. She was such a space sometimes! She should have introduced Vintus hours ago!

"But first, I've got to introduce you to my traveling companion." She forcibly pulled Hamad over to Vintus. When she released her vice-like grip, Hamad made a pointedly pained face and rubbed his arm as if it pained him. Still, his eyes were calculating as he looked Vintus over.

"Hamad, this is Vintus."

Hamad's voice was careful, drawn. "Hello, Vintus. It is good to see that Haku has found herself someone so experienced to travel with." He didn't sound happy at all. Suddenly, Haku's cheeks flooded with a pinky brown color.

"Ech! Hama-ad! Eew! He's like, thirty! He found me after seeing a pack of nix hounds and I was really careful and he's been nice, but we aren't... and he isn't... just ugh! You are such a complete worry-wort! I'm sixteen, seventeen next month! I'm old enough to take care of myself!"

Hamad smiled, obviously reassured that his little sister wasn't dating someone almost two times her age. He grinned outright when he held out his hand for Vintus to shake it. "Well, then. That's a relief. Hello, Vintus. It is very nice to meet you." Haku was still in the background, alternating between blushing horribly and glaring at her brother. She would kill him when they got home.

[Neravarine]

Vintus chuckled good naturedly in his helm as he shook Hamad's hand with his gauntlet. "Be assured, it is not a paladin's code to do something of that nature. Otherwise, may The Nine banish me to the pits of Oblivion." The paladin shrugged. "I had a another job in Balmora after taking care of a nest of lesser vampires. Nothing big, but I met her about halfway to the House Hlaluu city of Balmora... And well... Didn't feel comfortable leaving her on her own with such things nearby... Still don't trust something that looks like a cross between a wolf and some insect..." Vintus didn't mention or bring up the alits. Really wasn't needed, and he liked to be as humble as a man with an enchanted claymore and clad in steel armor could be. He may be a powerful warrior, but that power is for the citizens and children of The Empire, not himself.

[Kestrelwing]

Kohaku Tsumirir

Hamad smiled warmly. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Vintus. A paladin? Quite an exciting life you have. Well, thank you so much for helping my sister make it here. Do you need to rush to Balmora? We have plenty of food back home, and it's be the least I could do as repayment for keeping my lovely spaceshot of a sister from walking off a cliff while following a butterfly."

Haku groaned. "Not that again! It only happened once, and I was only five!"

"Seven, actually."

"Ugh, Hamad. You're such a pain."

"Oh, come on. You know you adore me. Go on, admit it. I'm your favorite brother."

"Yeah, no."

Hamad was about to reply with a sharp retort when he realized that Vintus probably was about to answer his question. Instead of teasing Haku any more, he turned back to Vintus, smiling.

[Neravarine]

"I Do need to head back..." The paladin murmered. "But something to eat sounds pretty good right now... If it doesn't bother you of course...." The imperial man was polite, yet relaxed. This family reminded him of his back home... In Cyrodil... A pang of home sickness struck the holy warrior, but he forced it down.

[Kestrelwing]

Kohaku

Haku grinned. "Awesome! You'll get to see my baby nephew! And Shria's really cool, too. She makes the best scones, and pies and turkey - when we can get a turkey, of course - and... Mmmm. Let's go! Oh, wait. Is it okay with you, Hamad?"

Hamad rolled his eyes. Haku was as excited as ever. Still he'd missed the little bug, and was really happy she could make it.

"Of course he can come to dinner. I was the one who invited him, wasn't I?"

"Yeah, yeah. Don't go getting a big head."

OOC: What kind of foods do they eat on Morrowind?

[Neravarine]

(Some people buy export foods. Native foods are tough, vegetable/plant material called Hackelo. There is scrib jelly, nix hound meat, slaughterfish, Kwama eggs, guar, etc... The dunmer aren't picky eaters...

[Kestrelwing]

OOC: Yeaaaaah. Okay, new plan. The fisherman's family eats fish. Normal ones. From the relatively normal ocean. xD

[Neravarine]

Vintus smiled, but then frowned... And walked around Hamad stiffly... Hla Oad... Was swarming with imperial and House Hlaluu Guards... Everywhere, they patrolled the outer areas of the small village and around it... In fact... Vintus was pretty sure there were twice as many bonemold clad and steel clad warriors then actual citizens... "Hamad.... By Akatosh... What is going on here?..." The tone was absolutely stunned.... Some of the those Hlaluu guards wore scarlet capes and bore ebony weapons... And some of the imperial guard were clad in silver reinforced steel and mithril... Some of those were high ranking captains and champions from whatever faction they came from... Both sides were conversing to each other urgently. Whatever they were doing, they were doing it together, only question was why?....

[Kestrelwing]

Haku

Haku turned to Hamad, eyes wide. "These are some pretty tricked-out guards for such a small town." Suddenly, her eyes narrowed. Hamad had a nasty tendancy to protect his baby sister from bad news. He always tried to protect her, even when it was neither smart nor safe.

"What didn't you tell me?"

Hamad sighed, rubbing his closed eyelids. "I wanted you to have a nice first night visiting. And then you had a guest, and I don't want to bring our problems onto him... Well, I suppose I can't hide it from you now. There's been a little trouble in our village, Haku."

OOC: And thus the post ends because before I have Hamad explain, I have to go check the plot board and remember the plot with Hla Oad... xD

[Neravarine]

Vintus didn't say anything, just took off his helm and started to pace quickly toward the nearest imperial guard, who looked to be about his early twenties. Moving a steel gauntlet on the young man's shoulder, he turned the startled youth around. He probably just joined the legions. "What's going on here?" Vintus asked smoothly. The young man gulped, obviously a little shocked by the glittering steel clad warrior with the red glowing sword strapped to his back and the deep set, piercing blue eyes. "Um... Uh... I'm uh... Sorry citizen... I am not responsible for that information." Vintus' firm expression didn't change, which unnerved the young imperial. "If you uh... Need to talk to the legion champion, Garrius is over near the back of town talking to the House Hlaluu guard captain... Can't remember his name... Um..." The man looked at Vintus with slight fear, but the paladin was already heading in that general direction, small frown of concentration on his face. Garrius... Where did he hear that name before?

[Kestrelwing]

Haku

Haku glared, her dark eyes going stormy. "What kind of trouble, Hamad?"

Suddenly, Vintus was gone, talking to some guard. Haku considered following him, but he hadn't invited her or Hamad to, so she guessed he wasn't very interested...

Hamad sighed again. He shouldn't be having to explain this to Haku. She was still little. She deserved a few more years of innocent fun... She didn't need to grow up just yet. And this wasn't something she needed to know the details. Dissappearances and strange sightings were not at all comforting and he would not support her trying to help. This would all boil over eventually, and they had to let the professionals deal with it.

Haku groaned. "Hamad, I'm a big girl now. I'm trying to grow up, but I can't do that with everyone trying to help me stay a child. If this is dangerous, I deserve to know the danger and make my own impressions of it."

"Fine, but let it be known that I didn't support this. Mum would kill me if you told her I told you..."

"Just get it out, man!"

"Man? I'm your brother. Have some respect."

"Keep dreaming. But really. What happened? Are Shria and Threa alright?" Suddenly, Haku's eyes were nervous, anxiety showing for her brother. Hamad smiled slightly. At least there was some good news.

"No, they're both safe and sound, in a rented apartment. Though prices for rooming here are going through the roof... We've moved temporarily out of our house, because of the current crisis."

"What crisis? Is anything wrong?"

Hamad sighed again, feeling suddenly heavy and old. "A few weeks ago, a few kids gathering firewood in the forest thought they saw shadows flitting through the trees. Though they were scoffed at originally, more and more people started to see them in the woods. Apparently, they were quite disturbing, and finally a bold man decided to go investigate. He brought two other men with him.

"All of them were well-armed and strong fighters and hunters. All of them were never seen again. One other expedition was led into the woods, and this one disappeared as well. We don't know what or who the shadows are, but they've taken these people and the sightings were slowly coming closer and closer to our village. Shria and I packed up as soon as possible and moved here to wait it out. The extra officials are supposed to be helping hunt them, but we haven't gotten news of any results yet..."

[Neravarine]

Vintus Severus shouldered past several bonemold clad dunmer and imperial guard, eventually reaching the western end of the village, where two figures were whispering to each other calmly, yet urgently. Vintus narrowed his eyes, forehead creasing as he slowly made out their features. One was a dunmer man that looked about mid thirties(But could have been easily sixty at that age) with cropped white hair and a trimmed goatee. He was very lean muscled, and clad in traditional Hlaluu style bonemold armor with a scarlet cape that matched the blood red eyes and a beautiful and deadly looking ebony scimitar at his side. The man talking to him...

Vintus' blue eyes widened with absolute shock... The man talking to him was his childhood friend, Garrius Benrius, a man who looked about forty, covered in reinforced steel and silver armor with a tower shield and a nordic silver broadsword at his hip. His helm was off as he conversed with the dunmer captain, revealing an aging, powerful face covered with several battle scars, and light blue eyes... The nordic blood that showed through revealed his flowing mane of blonde hair, almost white as it billowed softly around his shoulders. "Barrius?..." Vintus managed to choke out in shock. The two man stared at him, the dunmer neutrally, the half nord/imperial with shock, but then a grin appeared on his features. "Vintus? Vintus Severus, is that you?" Barrius asked in a deep voice.

[Kestrelwing]

Haku

Haku's eyes darkened. "How many people are gone?" All those people, captives of these strange shadow-like creatures... or worse.

"Three men from the first group, five from the second. A little girl wandered out of the village before the threat was properly established and, well..."

Haku shivered. "She's gone, too."

Hamad nodded. "We found a scrap of her skirt left on a bush not too far in the woods, but she was never recovered..."

"Poor thing," she whispered.

Hamad nodded again. "I got out of there with Shria and Threa as soon as I could. I don't want to risk either of them, and we don't even know if the people who disappeared are still... okay."

Haku nodded, eyes far away and deep in thought. "Is there any way I can help?"

"No," Hamad quickly replied.